Catholic Vote produced a beautiful video, Dear Pope Francis, Welcome to America. It contains the lovely prayer that God would make Americans worthy of the gift of liberty and justice for all. That is a uniquely American prayer and a good one. I was so proud of my country last week as I watched Pope Francis visit us. I was also so proud of my pope. After I watched him get on the plane to leave, I went outside where... Read more
Pope Francis delivered a boffo speech to the United Nations yesterday. This speech differed in tone from the one he gave when he addressed the joint session of Congress the day before. But it did not differ in meaning. I wrote a post about this for the National Catholic Register. Here’s part of what I said: Pope Francis addressed the United Nations today. He gave a speech that was entirely consistent with the address he gave the Joint Session of... Read more
This is what I wrote about Pope Francis’ attendance at the prayer service at the 9/11 Memorial today. From Catholic Vote: I don’t like writing about man-made mass atrocity. Every time I do, I access memories and emotions of the Oklahoma City bombing. Pope Francis stood at the monument for the Twin Towers. He spoke with and touched the families of those who died there. We, the grieving American people, have built a beautiful memorial on those hallowed grounds. I... Read more
This is the full text of Pope Francis’ address to the United Nations. It’s from Vatican Radio: Mr Secretary General,Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to welcome you, Mr Secretary-General and the leading executive officers of the Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the United Nations and specialized Organizations, as you gather in Rome for the biannual meeting for strategic coordination of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board.It is significant that today’s meeting takes place shortly after the solemn canonization... Read more
This is my reaction to Pope Francis’ address to the joint session of Congress today. From the National Catholic Register: Pope Francis channeled Jesus this morning with a contemporary Sermon on the Mount, and it got just about the same results it did 2,000 years ago. The Holy Father addressed the assembled members of both houses of Congress, the United States Supreme Court, members of the Cabinet and other dignitaries today. In what might very well have been a one-off... Read more
I wish Pope Francis had time to meet the real America instead of spending all his time with politicos. I wrote about that longing for Catholic Vote, listing 5 things I wish Pope Francis knew about us. Here’s part of what I said: I wish Pope Francis could see Oklahoma … and Colorado … and Big Bend. I wish he had time to take a road trip along the long stretches of lonely road that crisscross this country. I wish... Read more
This is the full text of the Holy Father’s address to the Joint Session of Congress this morning. It’s from Vatican Radio. Mr. Vice-President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of Congress, Dear Friends, I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. I would like to think that the reason for this is that I too am a son of this great... Read more
Pope Francis is now in the holding room with the Speaker of the House, waiting to go into the chamber. I have no doubt that he’s a bit surprised by how small the facility really is. It looks bigger on television. When you chit chat with the Pope, what do you say? It appears that Speaker Boehner is talking about his tie. It’s tough at any time, making small talk. The press has been sent away now and the Speaker... Read more
It seems that the leadership of the United States Congress is concerned that their members will make fools of themselves when the pope comes to call. Pope Francis is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress, and those who know them best are worried that members of the House and Senate will grab the pope, try to take selfies and engage in partisan grandstanding. Now, why would anyone thing our elected officials would behave that way???? I wrote about it for... Read more
Pope Francis delivered a stirring homily to the American bishops this morning. I bolded the paragraphs in which he talks about abortion and marriage because I know they are a great concern for all of us at this point in our country’s history. You are read the entire homily at the National Catholic Register. In the meantime, here are a few highlights: … The heart of the Pope expands to include everyone. To testify to the immensity of God’s love... Read more
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